Ashwin Lewis
Getting a new ear piercing can be exciting, but it also comes with some discomfort and extra care. One of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to sleep with it. The pressure and friction of sleeping on a new piercing can cause pain, irritation, and even infection in the affected area. To help you get a good night's sleep while your new ear piercing heals, you should try to sleep on your back to keep pressure off the piercing and minimize irritation and pain. It is also important to maintain the cleanliness of the piercing and follow care advice, such as using petroleum jelly and seeking medical attention if needed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleeping with earrings | Can be harmful, depending on the type and size of the earrings |
| New piercings | Can be uncomfortable to sleep on |
| Healing time for new piercings | Requires careful consideration for sleep |
| Risks of sleeping with new piercings | Skin irritation, pain, headaches, and infections |
| Strategies to sleep comfortably | Back sleeping, choosing small studs, using a travel pillow, and using smooth pillowcases |
| Cleaning | Use a sterile saline solution, clean 2-3 times a day for the first few weeks, then once a day until the piercing is fully healed |
| Healing time | Varies for everyone, dependent on factors such as overall health, sleep and stress levels, and aftercare regimen |
| Signs of healing | Discharge, swelling, redness, flaking, or soreness stops |
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What You'll Learn
New piercings can be uncomfortable to sleep on
To minimize discomfort, it is suggested that you sleep on your back, especially if you have a new ear piercing. This will keep pressure off the piercing and reduce irritation and pain. If you are a side sleeper, you can use a travel pillow, which is a U-shaped pillow that can be placed around your neck to provide stability and create a hollow opening for your ear. It is also recommended to use small studs instead of large earrings to reduce the risk of pain and getting caught in your hair or bedding.
It is crucial to maintain the cleanliness of your piercing to support the healing process. You should clean your piercing 2-3 times a day for the first few weeks and then once a day until it is fully healed. A sterile saline solution can be used for cleaning, which can be purchased or made at home by mixing sea salt and distilled water. If you notice any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, discharge, or excessive pain, it is important to seek medical attention.
Additionally, it is important to keep the stud in a new piercing so that the hole does not close up. This means wearing earrings at all times, including when sleeping, for at least six weeks or until your piercer advises otherwise. Earrings for new piercings are made with hypoallergenic materials, so you can safely leave them in during the healing process. However, if you have any known metal sensitivities, you should avoid jewelry containing those allergens.
Overall, while new piercings can be uncomfortable to sleep on, following these tips and strategies, such as sleeping on your back, using travel pillows, choosing small studs, and maintaining cleanliness, can help minimize discomfort and support the healing process.
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You should sleep on your back to avoid irritating the piercing
If you've recently had an ear piercing, you may be wondering how to sleep without irritating the area. One of the best ways to avoid irritating a new ear piercing is to sleep on your back. This will keep pressure off your piercing and minimise further irritation and pain.
While it may be challenging to train yourself to sleep on your back, it is important to do so to help the piercing heal properly. If you usually sleep on the side of your new piercing, try propping pillows around you to keep you in place on your back. You could also try using a travel pillow—these U-shaped pillows can be worn around the neck to provide head and neck stability while sleeping. When using a travel pillow, try sleeping with your neck in the middle of the "U" to allow your ears to stick out and relieve some of the pressure on the piercing.
If you find it impossible to sleep on your back, you could try switching your earrings to a pair of silicone plugs at night. This will prevent your new piercings from closing up, while also keeping your ears comfortable. It's also important to keep your piercing clean, so make sure to clean the skin around it two to three times per day with a saline solution or gentle soap and water.
It's worth noting that, while it's generally recommended to sleep on your back with a new ear piercing, there are other factors that can influence the healing process. These include the type of earring you're wearing, the location of your piercing, and your overall health, stress levels, and aftercare regimen.
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Use a travel pillow to avoid putting pressure on your ear
Sleeping on a new ear piercing can be uncomfortable and painful. The pressure and friction of sleeping can cause pain, irritation, and even infection in the newly pierced area. One way to avoid this is by using a travel pillow.
Travel pillows are U-shaped pillows usually worn around the neck to provide head and neck stability while sleeping in an upright position. When used by side sleepers, they create a hollow opening that prevents direct pressure on the piercing, allowing the piercing to heal properly. This type of pillow can also keep hair and fabrics from your bedding from wrapping around your earrings and causing issues.
The healing time for an ear piercing can vary depending on several factors, including the type of piercing, your age, and individual healing process. Standard earlobe piercings generally take six weeks to several months to fully heal. Helix or pinna piercings, which are piercings anywhere along the outer rim of the ear, take much longer to heal, around three to four months.
To help your piercing heal properly, it's important to follow your piercer's aftercare instructions. This includes cleaning the skin around the studs two to three times per day with a saline solution or gentle soap and water. In addition, you should avoid touching the piercing with dirty hands to reduce the risk of infection.
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Keep your piercing clean to avoid infection
Ear piercings can be uncomfortable to sleep on, especially when they are new. The friction and pressure from sleeping on a new piercing can cause pain, irritation, and even infection. To avoid this, it is recommended that you sleep on your back, instead of your side, to keep the piercing clean and allow it to heal properly.
In addition to sleeping on your back, there are several other ways to keep your piercing clean and avoid infection:
Clean your piercing regularly
It is important to clean your piercing 2-3 times a day for the first few weeks and then once a day until it is fully healed. You can use a sterile saline solution, which you can buy at most drugstores, or make your own by mixing 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt with 8 ounces of warm distilled water. Soak a clean cotton ball or piece of gauze in the saline solution and gently clean around the piercing. Avoid twisting or turning the jewelry as this can cause irritation and slow down healing.
Wash your hands
Before handling your piercing, always wash your hands thoroughly to avoid transferring bacteria to the piercing site.
Avoid touching your piercing with dirty hands or objects
Infections occur when bacteria get trapped in your piercings. Common ways for bacteria to get into your piercings include touching the piercing with dirty hands or letting it come into contact with dirty objects such as pillowcases and headphones. To avoid this, keep your bedding and other items that may come into contact with your piercings clean.
Choose small studs
When you initially pierce your ears, opt for small studs instead of larger earrings. Smaller studs are less likely to cause pain and discomfort if you lie on them, and they are also less likely to get caught in your hair or bedding.
Use a travel pillow
A U-shaped travel pillow can help relieve pressure on your piercing by allowing your ears to stick out more than they would with a regular pillow. Try sleeping with your neck in the middle of the "U" to keep your piercing comfortable and free from direct pressure.
Avoid sleeping with sharp earrings
Sharp earrings can cause discomfort, pain, and even damage to your piercing. If you find that sleeping with sharp earrings is causing issues, try switching them out for a pair of silicone plugs at night. This will keep your ears comfortable and prevent your piercings from closing up.
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Avoid certain earrings to prevent allergic reactions
If you've recently gotten an ear piercing, you may be wondering how to care for it, especially when sleeping. While it's generally safe to sleep with new piercings, there are some risks to be aware of, including skin irritation, pain, headaches, and infections. Here are some tips to help you sleep comfortably with your new ear piercing:
- Choose earrings made of hypoallergenic materials like surgical-grade stainless steel, titanium, 18-karat gold, or sterling silver. These materials are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
- Avoid earrings that contain nickel, especially if you have a known nickel allergy. Nickel is a common allergen and is found in many types of jewellery.
- Opt for flat studs instead of larger earrings or those with jewels and other jagged edges. Smaller studs are less likely to cause pain and discomfort and are also less likely to get caught in your hair or bedding.
- If you must wear earrings containing nickel, use plastic covers made for earring studs to create a barrier between the nickel and your skin.
- Maintain good ear hygiene by keeping your ears clean and dry. Use a saline solution or a special ear-cleaning solution to clean your earlobes regularly.
- Give your ears a break from wearing earrings every now and then, especially if you notice any symptoms of allergy. This can help your skin recover and prevent further irritation.
Remember to always follow the aftercare instructions provided by your piercer, and if you experience any signs of infection or allergic reaction, seek medical attention.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is recommended to sleep with your new earrings in as the piercing may close up if you take them out. However, it can be uncomfortable to sleep on a new piercing, and there are risks of skin irritation, pain, headaches, and infections.
To sleep comfortably, try sleeping on your back to avoid putting pressure on your piercing. You should also opt for small, flat studs, and use a travel pillow to avoid direct pressure on your ear.
The healing time for a piercing varies depending on individual factors such as overall health and stress levels. However, it also depends on the location of the piercing—ear lobe piercings generally take around 4-6 months to fully heal, whereas upper or inner ear piercings can take 6-12+ months. You should follow your piercer's aftercare instructions and keep the piercing clean to ensure optimal healing.
